New Brunswick tables a new bill to set rules for online live casino games

New Brunswick has introduced legislation that could establish a regulatory framework for online live casino games, marking a further step in the province's efforts to adapt its gambling laws to changing digital entertainment formats. Bill 8, an amendment to the Gaming Control Act, received its first reading on 27 October 2026 and remains a legislative proposal rather than an enacted law.

The proposed amendments would give provincial authorities the legal basis to develop regulations specifically addressing online casino games presented by live dealers. The initiative follows a proposal from the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), the government-owned operator responsible for delivering online gambling products on behalf of New Brunswick and other Atlantic Canadian provinces.

Although the bill outlines a potential framework for introducing live casino operations, it does not establish a launch date or provide a complete set of operating requirements. Further legislative proceedings and subsequent regulations would determine how any new arrangements could function.

What Bill 8 proposes to change

The legislation introduces definitions intended to distinguish between general online casino lottery schemes and live casino lottery schemes. Under the proposed wording, an online casino lottery scheme would involve casino-style games conducted and managed by the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation through an online platform.

A live casino lottery scheme would be defined more specifically as an online casino lottery scheme in which casino-style games are hosted, facilitated or presented by a live person. This distinction is significant because live-dealer formats involve real-time interaction that differs from conventional digital casino games operated through automated software.

The amendment would also expand the province's authority to regulate gaming arrangements conducted and managed by the relevant corporation or operated by another government agency. These changes are intended to provide a clearer legislative foundation for the possible introduction of live casino games.

However, the scope of the proposal should be considered carefully. Bill 8 establishes proposed legal powers and definitions rather than a complete regulatory system. Operational standards, implementation arrangements and the timing of any rollout remain subject to further decisions.

The proposed role of Atlantic Lottery

The New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation oversees provincial gaming arrangements, while the Atlantic Lottery Corporation operates online gaming products on the province's behalf. Existing digital offerings include instant-win games, online bingo and casino-style products.

Under Bill 8, the provincial corporation could, subject to approval by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, enter into an agreement with a qualifying corporate body incorporated under the relevant interprovincial agreement. That body could be designated as a provincial government agency to operate an online casino lottery scheme, including live casino games.

The provision creates a potential route for organising live casino operations within the existing government-controlled framework. It does not, by itself, establish a general licensing system that would allow private online casino companies to enter the market freely.

The distinction is important for operators, suppliers and consumers assessing the potential implications of the proposed legislation. Any future participation would depend on the applicable legal arrangements, the required approvals and the regulations introduced by the province.

New Brunswick currently identifies ALC.ca as its only legal and regulated online gambling platform. The proposed amendments would create additional regulatory flexibility, but the existing position remains unchanged while the bill is under consideration.

Regulatory safeguards remain a central consideration

The provincial government has said that existing legislation does not provide the authority needed to establish regulations specifically for live casino activities. The proposed amendments are intended to address that limitation and allow safeguards to be developed for the format.

Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin has presented the legislative initiative as part of the province's effort to keep gaming rules current as online products evolve. Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy has also indicated that the updates are intended to support the responsible development of new gaming options.

Live casino games combine digital access with human interaction. Depending on the format, players may participate in table games such as blackjack or roulette while viewing a live dealer and interacting with other participants. The format can raise regulatory questions involving game integrity, player eligibility, operational oversight and responsible gambling provisions.

Nevertheless, these are areas that future rules could address, not a description of regulations already adopted under Bill 8. The government has not published a complete set of proposed live casino operating standards alongside the bill.

The distinction between legislative authority and detailed regulation is particularly relevant for businesses evaluating possible investment or product development opportunities. A statutory amendment may establish the power to regulate an activity, while the practical conditions for operating it require additional legal and administrative steps.

Licence fees and expanded rule-making powers

Bill 8 also proposes changes affecting the province's regulation-making authority and certain licence fee arrangements. The amendments would allow regulations to prescribe methods for calculating licence fees, establish maximum amounts and determine when and how payments must be made.

Depending on the relevant provisions and any subsequent regulations, fee calculations could be linked to the amount or value of prizes offered or awarded under a licence. The bill also addresses how certain application fees interact with fees payable for a licence.

These provisions are broader administrative elements of the proposed legislative changes. They should not be interpreted as establishing a final fee schedule for live casino operators. The amounts, calculation methods and payment requirements would depend on the rules eventually adopted.

For the industry, the practical significance of these provisions will become clearer only when the government sets out the detailed requirements applicable to the relevant gaming arrangements.

Legislative status and what happens next

As of 28 October 2026, Bill 8 remains at first reading in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. It has not completed the legislative process and the proposed changes have not yet become law.

The bill's commencement provision states that the legislation or individual provisions of it, would come into force on a date or dates fixed by proclamation. Consequently, even if the bill receives the necessary legislative approval, implementation could depend on a later formal commencement date.

Detailed regulations are also expected to follow at a later stage. Until those measures are published, there is no confirmed timetable for the introduction of live casino games under the proposed framework.

The initiative comes amid wider discussion about the future of online gambling regulation in New Brunswick. Earlier in October, reports indicated that the provincial government was examining options concerning private online gambling operators. However, Bill 8 should be assessed on its own terms: its provisions address the Gaming Control Act and a potential framework for online casino schemes, rather than creating an open market for private operators.

Conclusion

New Brunswick's Bill 8 represents a proposed legislative response to the development of live casino games and the need for a regulatory framework tailored to their operation. By defining live casino lottery schemes, expanding rule-making powers and providing for a potential government-agency operating arrangement, the bill could give the province greater flexibility in overseeing this form of online gaming.

The proposal does not yet establish the final operating model, authorise a launch on a specified date or create unrestricted access for private gambling companies. Those questions remain dependent on the bill's progress through the legislature, the commencement of any enacted provisions and the subsequent development of detailed regulations.

For Atlantic Lottery, the proposed changes could provide a clearer legal pathway to explore live-dealer products with provincial approval. For consumers and other industry participants, the main development to watch is the publication of further regulatory details.

Ultimately, the significance of Bill 8 will depend on how the framework is implemented. Clear rules, effective oversight and responsible gambling safeguards will be important factors in determining how live casino games could be incorporated into New Brunswick's existing regulated gambling system.

FAQs

What is New Brunswick's Bill 8?
Bill 8 is a proposed amendment to the Gaming Control Act intended to establish a legal framework for regulating online casino schemes, including live casino games.

When was Bill 8 introduced?
The bill received its first reading in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick on 27 October 2026.

Has Bill 8 become law?
No. As of 28 October 2026, the legislation remains at first reading and must progress through the required legislative stages.

What are live casino games?
Live casino games are online casino-style games hosted, facilitated or presented by a live person. They can feature human dealers and real-time interaction with players.

Why is New Brunswick proposing the changes?
The government has said existing legislation does not provide the necessary authority to establish regulations specifically for live casino activities.

What role does Atlantic Lottery Corporation have?
Atlantic Lottery Corporation operates online gaming products on behalf of New Brunswick and other Atlantic Canadian provinces. It proposed the live casino concept addressed by the legislation.

Will Bill 8 allow private online casinos to enter New Brunswick?
The bill does not establish a general licensing route for private online casino companies. Its proposed provisions focus on an arrangement involving a qualifying corporate body designated as a provincial government agency.

Who oversees gaming in New Brunswick?
The New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation oversees provincial gaming arrangements, while relevant provincial authorities are responsible for regulation and control.

When could live casino games launch under the proposed framework?
No launch date has been announced. The bill remains under consideration and detailed regulations and commencement arrangements are still outstanding.

What happens after the bill is introduced?
The legislation must continue through the legislative process. If enacted, its provisions would come into force on dates fixed by proclamation, with further regulations expected to establish additional requirements.